What To Give Up for Lent: College Edition

Catholics come out of the woodwork on Ash Wednesday, even on college campuses. A sense of competition is in the air: Who has the coolest looking ashes? Who is giving up the most challenging thing for Lent?

Competition doesn’t quite capture the essence of the season, though. Lent is not a contest for the largest ashes and most outrageous thing to give up. It’s also not a second chance for your New Year’s resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are about you. I want to lose weight, so I am hitting the salad bar at the dining hall and heading to the gym that I might as well use because my tuition pays for it.

These might be great resolutions, but Lent takes us to a deeper place.

Lent is about you + God

We give things up during Lent to grow closer to God, to make more space for God, to rely more on God. This offering helps us realize that God belongs at the center of our lives — not our studies, our internships, our schedules, or even our beloved phones.

How we choose what to give up for Lent should flow from a reflective conversation with God, not a competition with others. You might start by giving some quiet time to contemplate the things in your life that are an obstacle to a deeper trusting relationship with God. What is something — a habit or a thing or a food — you could give up during Lent to make more room in your life for God? What is one thing you could add to your life during Lent that would help you grow in your relationship with God?

This type of prayerful reflection can help lead you to decide what you are doing for Lent with God, rather than coming up with ideas on your own.

Subtract the obstacles

Here’s a very general list of things that might be hindering your relationship with God. Take these or other ideas to prayer, and see what speaks to your heart:

Screen time in the form of mindless scrolling or browsing

Social media posting or selfies

Netflix, Hulu, Youtube

Gossip or complaining

Impatience

Wastefulness

Procrastination

Being late

Sweets and treats

Alcohol or your favorite drink

Add the assets

Once you zero in on what to subtract, pray about what you could add. What habits or practices will help you grow your relationship with God this Lent?

Here are some ideas to get you started. Remember, don’t pick 10 — one or two will be more than enough to sustain over 40 days if you select practices that resonate in your heart.

Whether you are doing a total spiritual reboot or you have a robust prayer life, Lent is your opportunity to go deeper with God. By prayerfully adding and subtracting a few things during Lent, you will be better prepared to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection at Easter, and you’ll be experiencing new life in your own relationship with God.